Tyler Durden wrote in with this question:

I'm finishing up a trip to Ghana ... . I have just caught up on news and it looks like there is a good shot at a Obama vs McCain Election. I find Obama's charisma refreshing, and I think he could be what the world needs from America right now. However, his "troops will be home my first year" pledge has me worried. I think he'll be shown through various Pentagon briefings that his pledges are not viable, but that may make him look foolish for promising it in the first place. Do you see him A) winning and B) carrying out his Troops pledge?

Tom writes:

I believe Obama may well win the Dem nod. It's getting harder by the day to see Hillary stopping him, because where she wins, it's tight and where Obama wins, he wins big.

I think Obama's contrast with McCain will wear well (old v new on complex world, plus fatigue with GOP arrogance after 8 years (somewhat inevitable in our system--to the good of all)). Plus, Obama puts south in play and west trending Dem.

Once in, or hopefully long before, someone close to him gets him off that nonsense of troop withdrawals. Simply can't happen without sabotaging a new administration--thus the profound strategic overhang for any next prez.